Surgical splint



March 17, 1931. R. D. FQ'ULK 1,797,057

SURGICAL SPLINT Filed April 10, 1928 i liliiililllliw lllfllliiiiiilllllilili W? 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENTQ OFFI CE ROY D. FOULKE, OF WARSAW, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO WINIFRED DE PUY LEITER SURGICAL SPLIN T Application filed April 10, 1928. Serial No. 268,892.

This invention relates to improvements in surgical splints, especially of that type applicable to the forearm and hand for the treatment of digits and metacarpal members that have been crushed and lacerated. The object of the invention is to provide asplint so shaped and constructed that the wrist, palm of the hand and digits, uponbeing crushed, may be applied thereto and the members arranged thereon, and so that the hand will be sustained in its natural contour during the process of healing which posture is conducive to comfort, and is otherwise beneficial.

This object is accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a splint embodying the invention, with a hand applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the splint projected from Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the forward end of the splint.

The characters appearing in the description refer to parts shown in the drawings and designated thereon by corresponding characters.

The splint is formed of sheet metal, preferably aluminum, and is shaped so that the rear portion 1 has upturned sides 2, which portion constitutes a cradle for the forearm 3. The middle portion 4 is narrow and presents a concave upper surface suitable to receive the wrist 5. The forward portion 6 is arcuate and presents an upper surface that has longitudinal convexity. The forward portion 6 and middle portion 4 have formed therein heads 7 that extend longitudinally and serve to stiflen the structure.

The forward extremity of the splint has an upturned ledge 8 that extends transversely throughout the width of the portion 6 with which it is contiguous, there being a space 9 intervening between the upper portion of the ledge and the adjacent face of the portion 6. The ledge 8 has made therein a series of openings 10, each of which is circular at the top, the sides of the opening being convergent toward its bottom.

In utilizing the invention the injured member is positioned upon the splint with the wrist located in the middle portion 4 and the forearm in the cradle portion 1. The metacarpal members and the digits are arranged upon the arcuate forward portion 6 in proper position for the healing process, whereupon bandages are applied in the usual manner to hold the injured member in place upon the splint.

In some instances, especially when it is desired to apply extension to the digits, such digits may have applied thereto, in spiral formation, strips of tape (not shown) and the forward or extending ends of the tape may be inserted through the openings 10 and drawn forwardly therethrough and secured in the convergent lower ends of the openings by drawing the extending ends of the tape downwardly. The tape thus applied has the T tendency of drawing or stretching the digits forwardly, or resists retractional tendency of the digits thus secured. The extending ends of tape may be further secured by lacing through the openings in theledge, and by tightening the lacing the desired extension is obtained. As the forward end of the splint continues beyond the ends of the finger tips in a downward direction, the tape applied to the fingers and secured by the lacing has the further tendency of holding the fingers down upon the curved front portion of the splint.

WVhat I claim is 1. A surgical splint formed of a plate, with its rear portion shaped to constitute a cradle for the forearm and its middle portion shaped to receive the wrist, the forward porion of the splint being arcuate, its upper face having longitudinal convexity, and the forward extremity of the splint having an upturned ledge extending transversely throughout its breadth, said ledge having a series of openings made therein, the sides of each opening being convergent toward one end thereof,

the upper edge-of said ledge being spaced from the adjacent face of said arcuate portion.

2. A surgical splint formed of a plate shaped so as to have a cradle portion for the forearm, a contiguous middle portion shaped to receive the wrist, and a forward arcuate portion having longitudinal convexity respecting its upper surface, the forward part of said arcuate portion having a perforated upturned continuation beyond the finger tips of the hand when applied to the splint.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

=RoY DSFOUL E. 

